Book Reviews – Page 3 – Sassy Reviews

June 20, 2026

An Auroral Flame

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: An Auroral Flame 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: R. Peter Ubtrent ✍️
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An Auroral Flame opens with a desperate attempt to save an infant during the destruction of an Elven city, leading to one of the most entertaining sequences in the book: a dragon named Unniass reluctantly becoming the child’s caretaker. These early chapters are equal parts humorous and heartfelt, as the fearsome dragon struggles with feeding, bathing, and protecting a baby while an army of Rakhasa searches for her.

As Aurora grows up in the Monastery of St. Vorrucht, the novel truly finds its voice. Aurora’s first-person narration is witty, inquisitive, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Her descriptions of the eccentric monks, her fascination with forbidden books, and her complete inability to stay out of trouble make her an interesting character. What I particularly enjoyed was how naturally the author reveals the world’s history through Aurora’s curiosity.

Aurora’s discovery of magic and her growing awareness that she is different from those around her create genuine emotional stakes. It is a story about self-discovery in a world scarred by war and old hatreds. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with strong world-building, memorable side characters, and a heroine whose curiosity constantly drives the plot forward will find An Auroral Flame an enjoyable read.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 17, 2026

Perfect Secrets

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Perfect Secrets 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Maria Jane ✍️
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Perfect Secrets by Maria Jane is an engaging romantic fiction novel. The story follows Elle, a hardworking woman balancing multiple jobs, personal struggles, and her dream of attending law school. Her carefully guarded life becomes complicated when she meets Tanner Clarke, a lawyer who unknowingly encounters her hidden identity while she works at a vampire-themed bar.

Elle is portrayed as resilient, compassionate, and determined, especially through her dedication to her career goals, her family, and helping others. Tanner adds balance to the story with his kindness and willingness to support Elle’s ambitions. Their relationship develops naturally through shared experiences, including working together on a pro bono custody case, creating a romance built on trust, understanding, and emotional connection rather than just attraction.

Perfect Secrets is an entertaining read that explores themes of identity, healing, ambition, and the courage to let others see the real you. Maria Jane creates a story filled with charming moments, emotional challenges, and a memorable romance. Readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a touch of mystery and characters carrying hidden layers will find this book worth reading.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 17, 2026

Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jennifer Anne Gordon ✍️
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The story follows Rebecca “Becca” Gauthier, a social worker struggling with the devastating loss of her son, the end of her marriage, and the weight of survivor’s guilt. Seeking comfort and escape, Becca immerses herself in an online community where she creates a perfect fictional version of her life, revealing how easily reality and illusion can become blurred. The novel’s emotional opening and deeply personal narration immediately draw readers into Becca’s pain and inner conflict.

I loved Gordon’s portrayal of flawed, complicated characters. Becca is vulnerable, sarcastic, wounded, and desperately searching for a way to cope. Her friendship with Lynn adds warmth and honesty to the story, while the mysterious online group introduces tension and suspense. Through themes of perfection, social expectations, and the pressure to appear happy, the novel examines how people often hide their struggles behind curated versions of themselves.

Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies is a powerful exploration of secrets, grief, and the dangers of pretending to be someone else. Jennifer creates a story filled with psychological suspense while also delivering a thoughtful reflection on healing and human connection. With its complex protagonist, engaging mystery, and emotional intensity, this book will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven thrillers that explore the darker sides of relationships and modern social life.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 13, 2026

War and Other Inconveniences

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: War and Other Inconveniences 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Trevor W. Harrison ✍️
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Trevor W. Harrison’s War and Other Inconveniences is a thought-provoking collection of poems that explores the darker realities of the modern world. Through themes of war, political conflict, climate change, social inequality, and human indifference, Harrison presents a reflective examination of the challenges facing humanity. The collection brings together poems written across different periods, combining historical events with contemporary crises to question how societies respond to suffering and destruction.

The strength of the book lies in Harrison’s ability to connect personal emotions with global events. Poems such as “Imagining Ypres,” “Guernica, Then and Now,” and “The Pandemic” revisit moments of violence, loss, and collective trauma, reminding readers of the human cost behind historical and political decisions. His writing style is direct, often unsettling, and filled with sharp observations that challenge readers to reflect on morality, power, and responsibility.

War and Other Inconveniences is a serious and meaningful work that encourages awareness rather than comfort. Harrison does not avoid difficult subjects; instead, he uses poetry as a way to confront uncomfortable truths about humanity’s repeated patterns of conflict and neglect.

The book will appeal to readers interested in history, politics, social issues, and poetry that inspires deeper thought about the world we live in.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 11, 2026

Fallen Pilgrim

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Fallen Pilgrim 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: R. Peter Ubtrent ✍️
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The prologue depicts a galaxy devastated by war and a tense diplomatic meeting where humanity is forced to accept humiliating terms of survival. Ubtrent excels at creating a sense of scale, populating the narrative with numerous alien species, competing agendas, and centuries of history.

Figures such as Morgase, the human representatives, the manipulative Dwad-Mehstiv, and later the ambitious Mishi and cynical Amal are portrayed with distinct motivations and personalities. The conversations reveal deep ideological divisions, personal ambitions, and hidden agendas. The scenes involving Mishi, Amal, and Gada provide a fascinating look at a decaying aristocracy where loyalty is fragile and self-interest often outweighs principle.

The worldbuilding is impressively detailed. Readers who love reading stories involving many characters will have a great time reading this book.

Fallen Pilgrim offers a richly imagined universe where political intrigue is every bit as dangerous as warfare, making it an engaging and thought-provoking installment.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 8, 2026

Interview with author Joel McKay

Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. I’m Joel McKay, an author by night and city manager by day who lives in Prince George, British Columbia. I have two daughters, a Maine Coon named Daphne, three books to my name and a host of short stories. I typically write horror and dark fantasy.

Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?

A2. Pace and dialogue. Many reviewers have picked up on the speed at which I keep a story moving, which is purposeful as I’m always trying to write within the style and structure of old school pulp yarns. Dialogue comes naturally to me after years as a journalist – do enough interviews and you become an expert in the way people talk and the back-and-forth of interesting conversation.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘It Came From the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations’?

A3. My favourite story in the anthology is “The Warrior’s Task” – it’s different than the rest in that it’s a grimdark fantasy and it’s a morally driven story about honour, sacrifice and how even brief relationships can be as deep and meaningful as long ones.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. I laugh.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. It’s a different medium in which to enjoy literature. I enjoy the pace, the cadence, the tone of voice. I particularly love listening to Michael Kramer narrate Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. He has an incredible style and voice.

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

A6. I don’t think it has. I’ve always written, I’ve been published more times than I can count. It’s just what I do so it doesn’t really affect me in any measurable way.

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

A7. Clarity, voice, structure, and conflict.

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

A8. I try to be as disciplined as possible and treat it like a job. My mantra is “two sentences a day” – just to keep me at it, it often ends up being a lot more than that.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘It Came From the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations’?

A9. It Came From the Trees is the title of the novelette featured in the anthology, the other half of the title describes the dread and unusual nature of each of the remaining stories that form the collection.

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A10. A novelist. Here we are!

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June 7, 2026

Wreaking Vengeance

Book: Wreaking Vengeance

Author: Lynn-Steven Johanson

What surprised me most about Wreaking Vengeance was how invested I became in the characters. While the novel begins with a brutal homicide investigation, the story spends considerable time showing the personal lives of those involved. Detective Joe Erickson isn’t simply chasing a killer, he’s also supporting his wife Destiny as she deals with the emotional impact of her mother’s cancer diagnosis.

These quieter moments provide balance to the darker elements of the story. The scene where Joe cooks Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp for dinner and comforts Destiny after her difficult day stood out because it revealed his compassion and humanity. It is these moments that transformed him from a detective into a fully realized character.

The victim, Jennifer Logan, is also developed with surprising depth despite being deceased. Through interviews with her attorney, sister, and acquaintances, readers gradually learn about her passion for Affenpinschers, her difficult marriage, her wealth, and her complicated personal relationships. Each revelation adds another layer to her story.

This novel succeeds because it remembers that crimes affect real people. The emotional connections between characters are what stayed with me after I finished reading.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 7, 2026

Dark Redemption

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Dark Redemption 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: R. Peter Ubtrent ✍️
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Dark Redemption by R. Peter Ubtrent is an ambitious science-fiction novel that immerses readers in a richly imagined universe filled with political intrigue, religious oppression, and interstellar conflict. As the fifth installment in the Dark Pilgrim series, the book opens with a compelling portrayal of humanity living under the restrictive rule of the Drek and their religion, J’tan.

Through characters such as Rishi Rahu and the various factions struggling for control, the story examines how ideology can both unite and divide civilizations. The author presents morally complex situations rather than simple good-versus-evil conflicts, encouraging readers to consider the costs of freedom and the dangers of blind obedience.

The blend of action, suspense, and philosophical themes keeps the plot engaging, while the vivid descriptions bring the futuristic setting to life. Overall, Dark Redemption is a compelling and intelligent science-fiction adventure that rewards patient readers with a rich, immersive experience and meaningful reflections on humanity, belief, and resistance. I enjoyed every bit of this book. Go ahead with it without any second thoughts.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 2, 2026

Patchwork

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Patchwork 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: M. Ainihi ✍️
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The story follows Patchwork, a courageous young protagonist navigating a surreal world filled with living dolls, enchanted forests, mysterious magic, and unsettling creatures. Ainihi’s world-building is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, blending whimsy and wonder with darker themes of identity, memory, and transformation. The vivid descriptions of places such as the Blue Woods, the Crooked House, and Knowhere create an immersive atmosphere that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

Patchwork’s journey is not merely an adventure but also a search for understanding herself and her place in a fractured world. Supporting characters, particularly Scraps and Bungle offer moments of humor, wisdom, and genuine emotional connection. The relationships between the characters evolve naturally, making their struggles and triumphs feel meaningful. Themes of resilience, friendship, and the consequences of choice are woven well.

Patchwork is a richly imagined tale that will appeal to readers who enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and character-driven adventures. M. Ainihi successfully balances imaginative storytelling with thought-provoking themes, creating a novel that is both entertaining and reflective. The narration is smooth and strong. I enjoyed every bit of this book. Go ahead with it without any second thoughts.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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June 2, 2026

Dark Enlightenment

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Dark Enlightenment 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: R. Peter Ubtrent ✍️
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This novel is set in a future where humanity is fractured by war, competing ideologies, and religious conflict. The story explores how belief systems are created, manipulated, and challenged across generations. Through vivid imagination, the author introduces readers to a galaxy shaped by ancient conflicts, powerful institutions, and hidden historical truths.

Through characters such as Sayi, Elaphe, Coronalis, and Cebrenia, Ubtrent examines how religious narratives can unify societies while also serving as tools of control. The plot moves between personal struggles and galaxy-spanning consequences, creating a sense of scale that keeps the reader engaged. The author’s detailed descriptions and extensive political and historical background add depth to the story.

This book challenges readers to consider the relationship between truth, history, and belief. Its combination of philosophical themes, political drama, and epic science-fiction storytelling makes it a must read for fans of intellectually driven speculative fiction. The world building is impressive and the storyline kept me on the edge of my seat.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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